“You unfilial daughter! Do you believe I won’t report your lack of respect to Her Majesty the Empress? Do you really think that just because you became the Crown Princess, you’ll remain so for life?” Duchess Zhen was so enraged she nearly fainted. How had she given birth to such a disgrace?
“Then by all means, go ahead,” Bai Shixi sneered, completely unafraid. “His Highness the Crown Prince has only just been released from confinement by the Emperor. If you cause another scandal that tarnishes his name, what do you think the Empress will do?”
Right now, the Empress cared more about the Crown Prince’s reputation than anything else. If Duke Zhen’s Manor accused her of being unfilial, would that reflect well on the Crown Prince?
With that thought, she turned her gaze toward Bai Zhiwei and her own mother. “Go ahead and report me. But you’re not the only ones with a voice in this world. When the time comes, I’ll simply expose everything you’ve done and let the world judge for themselves.”
Bai Zhiwei already had a terrible relationship with her mother-in-law. Now, if Duchess Gao discovered that Bai Zhiwei had been unfaithful, secretly seducing another woman’s husband, how would she deal with her?
If they wanted to make her life miserable, then none of them would have it easy.
“Without evidence, do you think anyone would believe you?” Bai Zhiwei scoffed.
Bai Shixi tilted her head and smiled. “Dear sister, do you really think I would say all this without reason?”
Bai Zhiwei’s brows furrowed. “Stop bluffing.”
She had always been cautious—how could she have left any incriminating evidence?
Bai Shixi despised that smug confidence of hers. Bai Zhiwei had always put on that act, fooling their parents into doting on her, stealing the attention that should have been hers, and belittling her in front of others—all while pretending to be a concerned and loving sister.
“Oh? Is that so?” Bai Shixi fixed her gaze on her. “Do you remember that letter you sent to the Eastern Palace that never received a reply?”
Bai Zhiwei’s expression finally changed. “It was you?”
Bai Shixi said nothing, only smiling as she stared at her.
Bai Zhiwei’s face shifted multiple times. She now understood why her letter had never been answered—it had been intercepted by Bai Shixi.
“Where’s the letter?” Bai Zhiwei demanded angrily.
“It’s in a safe place,” Bai Shixi said with a faint smile. “As long as I’m fine, the letter will remain hidden. If I’m not… who knows?”
Duchess Zhen, sensing something amiss from the tension between her daughters, asked, “What letter?”
Bai Shixi said nothing.
Bai Zhiwei also fell silent.
The Duchess didn’t dare press the issue too loudly, fearing others might overhear. But she now understood: her second daughter had something on her eldest.
Turning to Bai Shixi, she demanded, “Give me the letter. I’ll keep it safe.”
“There’s no need,” Bai Shixi replied coolly. “Something that could save my life—I’d rather hold onto it myself.”
The phrase “save my life” made the Duchess’ legs go weak. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Hand it over!”
“If Mother insists on forcing me, I’ll deliver the letter directly to the Empress.” Bai Shixi’s face lit up with a sweet smile. “You love your eldest daughter so dearly; surely you’d want her life to remain smooth and her marriage secure, wouldn’t you?”
Marriage secure…
The Duchess felt a wave of dizziness and turned to Bai Zhiwei.
Bai Zhiwei averted her gaze, saying nothing.
Bai Shixi had no interest in continuing the pointless conversation. She called for the palace attendants, who promptly entered the room.
The Duchess forced a smile, careful not to reveal anything unusual.
The wedding procession arrived shortly after. As the ceremonial veil fell over Bai Shixi’s head, she cast a glance at her mother, who was entirely preoccupied with Bai Zhiwei.
Under the veil, she smiled bitterly. In this small, enclosed space, she was alone.
Supported by the palace attendants, Bai Shixi stepped out. The Duchess, hurried to the main hall for the formal send-off, didn’t even glance at her second daughter. Bai Shixi offered her ceremonial farewell, then turned decisively to follow the Crown Prince to the red bridal sedan.
The Duchess stared at Bai Shixi’s retreating figure, a wave of disorientation washing over her. In the blink of an eye, her daughter was married off.
The Crown Prince’s wedding brought great excitement to the capital. Crowds of commoners followed the procession, adding to the joyous atmosphere. Meanwhile, Mingxi accompanied her mother, Madam Jiang, to the palace to offer their congratulations.
Consort Shu had anticipated Madam Jiang’s usual animosity towards Mingxi and arranged for her to come to Cuiwei Palace early, separating the two. Madam Jiang, naturally, did not object.
Mingxi spent time with Consort Shu at Cuiwei Palace, chatting amiably. Elsewhere, Xiao Muchen and his brothers assisted at the Crown Prince’s palace. The emperor, delighted by their camaraderie, found the scene heartwarming.
On such a joyous occasion, everyone behaved impeccably, presenting the image of harmony the emperor loved to see.
The empress alone basked in her moment of glory during the rituals, as none of the Four Consorts or others were present.
After the ceremony, the Crown Princess was sent to the Eastern Palace. Mingxi only caught a distant glimpse of her before the lively banquet began.
As the empress entertained a steady stream of noblewomen offering congratulations, Mingxi sat with Xu Nanxi and Yao Yunyi. Before long, Xiao Yan came by to greet them briefly.
Xiao Yan, who had been unusually quiet, followed Ning Qin Wangfei’s every step with a playful wink at Mingxi before disappearing into the crowd. Mingxi returned a polite smile and resumed her conversation with Yao Yunyi.
Yao Yunyi remarked, “Since the Crown Prince joined Fengcheng Marquis’s forces, Ning Qin Wang’s household has become increasingly low-profile. They rarely attend social gatherings anymore.”
Xu Nanxi looked at Yao Yunyi and said, “Anyone in their position would be cautious.”
After all, they had offended both the Empress and the Crown Prince. While the Empress still treated Ning Qin Wangfei warmly on the surface, things were no longer the same.
Mingxi remained silent as she listened, knowing that the actions of Ning Qin Wang and his wife were meant to be seen by the Emperor.
Ning Qin Wang might not care about anyone else—not even the Empress—but the Emperor was another matter entirely.
Xiao Lin leaving the capital was certainly not the outcome the Emperor wanted, so Ning Qin Wang and his wife naturally had to tread carefully.
“By the way, I heard the green vegetables served at today’s banquet came from your hot spring farm. Is that true?” Yao Yunyi asked Mingxi with a smile.
Mingxi nodded. “Yes, but my second uncle is the one managing everything.”
Yao Yunyi winked at Mingxi. “Some people just can’t escape their good fortune. When you first started growing hot spring vegetables, people laughed behind your back. Who would’ve thought that those same vegetables would earn someone a high-ranking position? Those people must be feeling pretty sour now.”
Xu Nanxi turned to Mingxi and added, “It’s people from Jin Wangfei’s side.”
Mingxi was surprised. “What does this have to do with them? There’s no conflict, is there?”
“Well, isn’t it a coincidence? I heard that the Xingning Marquis Manor had its eyes on the vacant position at the Imperial Kitchen.”
Mingxi: …
She hadn’t heard about that.
Looks like enemies on a narrow road—nothing more to say.
“My second uncle earned his position through his own abilities. If others want to gossip, let them,” Mingxi said lightly.
Hearing this, Xu Nanxi and Yao Yunyi both chuckled.
Lowering her voice, Yao Yunyi said, “Lately, the hot spring farms outside the city have become incredibly popular. Their value has multiplied, and now it’s nearly impossible to acquire one. Be careful.”
Mingxi turned to look at Yao Yunyi. She wouldn’t have said this without reason—someone must be planning to target her farm.
Well then, let them try.
